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Rural Health
News by Topic: Mental health

Jul 1, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces the availability of the complete lists of all geographic areas, population groups, and facilities designated as primary care, mental health, and/or dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). HPSA designations that are currently proposed for withdrawal will remain in this status until they are re-evaluated in preparation for the publication of the HPSA Federal Register notice on or before November 1, 2024. Lists are available on the shortage areas topic page on data.hrsa.gov and are current as of April 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 28, 2024 - Discusses The Busyhead Project founded by musician Noah Kahan to fund mental health services across the country. Details how The Busyhead Project is supporting mental health programs in rural and underserved communities via grant funds generated from concert ticket sales.
Source: Good Good Good
Jun 17, 2024 - Discusses the impact of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas on primary care in Texas. Discusses a collaborative care model of healthcare that includes behavioral health screenings in primary care appointments. Highlights a successful statewide network for improving youth psychiatric care. Notes the challenges specific to rural residents.
Source: The Texas Tribune
Jun 6, 2024 - Highlights a shortage of psychiatrists and mental health services in rural north Florida. Discusses services offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which reaches rural populations through a variety of free online support groups. Explores additional efforts to increase access to services in rural areas, including the integration of mental health services into primary care and a nonprofit clinic network staffed by psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Source: WCTV
Jun 5, 2024 - Interview with South Dakota USDA Rural Development Director and the Executive Director of Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health. Describes the construction of a new behavioral health facility in Yankton, SD. Notes barriers to improved mental health among rural populations including stigma and lack of access to services.
Source: South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Jun 4, 2024 - Profiles patients and staff at a Rural Health Clinic in Elberton, Georgia. Describes ongoing challenges in accessing care such as lack of transportation, and highlights the growing need for mental health services.
Source: NPR
May 29, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposing to require wireless carriers to implement one or more georouting solutions for calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to ensure that calls are routed based on the geographic location for the origin of the call, rather than the area code and exchange associated with a wireless phone. The FCC also seeks comment on a variety of issues related to the implementation of a georouting solution for wireless calls, non-wireless calls, and text messages to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Comments are due by June 28, 2024. Reply comments are due by July 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 29, 2024 - Features the perspective of a psychologist on the factors contributing to mental health issues among farmers. Discusses barriers to care, best practices for providers, and essential resources for support.
Source: Sanford Health
May 22, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions to inform its review on Management of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Youth. Includes background information and key questions related to the review. The full research protocol is available for review on the AHRQ website. Submissions are due by June 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 20, 2024 - Discusses the mental health wellness for Georgia healthcare workers following a new law ensuring privacy for healthcare workers participating in an employer-provider wellness program. Notes that maintaining the healthcare workforce is vital for rural communities.
Source: Georgia Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR